Rob Ford determined to run again no matter conflict outcome

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Rob Ford appeared buoyant about his future Friday while bracing for a court appeal that could end his term as Toronto’s most controversial mayor in recent years.

Trudging through snow at the city-owned Earl Bales Park — where he cut the ribbon for a new $2.3-million four-person ski lift — Ford said he couldn’t comment on Monday’s court proceedings.

“I’m going to go to the appeal first, and we’ll take it from there,” he told reporters.

Because the case is before a court, “I can’t comment,” Ford said.

But the mayor said if three Divisional Court judges uphold a ruling in December that he breached provincial conflict-of-interest law and must resign, “I’m going to run” in a subsequent byelection to regain office.

A judge on Dec. 4 gave him a stay of the ruling, allowing him to continue as mayor until a Jan. 7 appeal, after which a decision is expected to be released by the end of the month.

Justice Gladys Pardu concluded that Ford could retain his title, saying that vacating the position would cause “significant uncertainty,” until three justices assigned to consider his lawyer’s appeal issue a ruling that could overturn the original judgment.

On Nov. 26, Justice Charles Hackland concluded that Ford was in conflict by voting at a February city council meeting on repaying $3,150 in donations solicited for his football foundations using city resources.

The civil action against the mayor was brought by Toronto resident Paul Magder, with help from prominent lawyer Clayton Ruby.

Lawyer Alan Lenczner is preparing to argue that Hackland erred in his ruling against Ford.

“Regardless of what happens, I guarantee I’ll be running in the next municipal election, whether it is a byelection or the 2014 election,” Ford told reporters on the ski slope.

A byelection could cost taxpayers $6-to-$7 million. The city-wide municipal election is set for Oct. 27, 2014.

If Ford steps down, he could be reappointed by council — which Ford said he favours to “save a lot of money” instead of holding a byelection.

He said the decision is “whatever council wants.”

Asked about former Blue Jays outfielder Jose Canseco suggesting recently that he would seek election as mayor, Ford said “whoever wants to run I encourage them to run.”